Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant

533, DaDun Rd, 1F (Carrefour); (04) 2310-7678

Founded in Palo Alto, California in 1988, Gordon Biersch has grown into a popular American national chain of brewery restaurants, famed for offering six varieties of hand-crafted beer and outstanding, fresh-made-from-scratch American-style cuisine. Following a smash-hit opening of the chain's first overseas branch in Taipei, Taichung is now the site of the second international branch. Located in the Carrefour Dadun branch, this two-level restaurant brings new cosmopolitan flair to the city with great ambiance that includes a long downstairs bar with indoor and outdoor seating, an upstairs mini bar, and plenty of comfortable seating. --By Douglas Habecker, translated by Ann Lee

A. The NT$230 Beer Sampler allows you to try all six of Gordon Biersch's hand-crafted beers, including the Golden Export, Hefeweizen (the only ale in an all-lager line-up), Czech Lager, Marzen, Schwarzbier and a seasonal speciality, currently a Mai Bock. In-house brewers and staff can explain the enjoyably-distinctive characteristics of each brew, made with fresh ingredients. Mondays to Thursdays after 9:30 p.m., order any dish, even an appetizer, and enjoy a buy-1-get-1-free deal on the beer and select cocktails and wines.

B. The New York Strip & Tempura Shrimp Combo (NT$820) is one of many mouth-watering house specialties and entrees. Other popular items include six steaks (NT$660-980); pasta and chicken entrees like the Cajun Pasta (NT$480); weekly burger specials (NT$390) and regular items like the Marzen Barbecue Burger; various pizzas, salads and starters; and sinfully-huge desserts like the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie (NT$250).